The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can be read on the agency's Web site at http://www.imls.gov/news/2010/042810.shtm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2010

It's Wiki Wednesday! Are you UpNext?

Two New Themes Launch Today on the Future of Museums and Libraries Wiki

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) invites you to help invent the future of museums and libraries through your participation in UpNext: The Future of Museums and Libraries Wiki. IMLS's first-ever wiki is a platform where individuals inside and outside of museums, libraries, and related fields can discuss, dissect, expand, and inform the issues outlined in the Future of Museums and Libraries: A Discussion Guide. IMLS will use the knowledge shared in the wiki to help shape the agency's strategic plan, research directions, publications, convenings, and grant making.

Two new themes launch today on the wiki and will be featured for wiki discussion from April 28th - May 12th. Please share your thoughts on these final two themes! 

Theme #9, The 21st Century Museum & Library Workforce, will be led by Discussion Leader, Joanne Marshall, Alumni Distinguished Professor, School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This theme focuses on new skills and roles of 21st century museum and library professionals as they adapt to changing technological, informational, and other service needs in communities.

Theme #10, UpNext: Where Do We Go From Here?, will be led by Discussion Leader Larry Johnson, CEO of the New Media Consortium. This theme continues the wiki's call for museums and libraries to proactively face the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. While the wiki is a tool to spark dialogue and share resources, ideas, and experience, individuals who use, inform, and shape it will determine the direction and impact of these conversations. This theme asks, 'how should these conversations move forward, and where do we go from here?' 

In these tough economic times, strategic thinking is a wise investment in the future. Whether you work in, partner with, study, volunteer, visit or are just plain interested in museums and libraries and passionate about how they can continue to thrive in their service to the public-you have an opinion to be shared!

The UpNext wiki is an opportunity to share resources, examples of what works, and vexing questions. We hope that it will be a thought provoking ten weeks for all participants and provide food for thought for your career, your institution, and the choices you face. 

The full schedule of wiki themes and discussion leaders is below: 
March 3-16
1. Changing Definitions & Roles of Museums and Libraries 
Martín Gómez, City Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library 
2. Shifts in Power & Authority
Cassie Chinn, Deputy Executive Director, Wing Luke Asian Museum 
March 17-30
3. Museums & Libraries as the "Third Place"
Susan Hildreth, City Librarian, Seattle Public Library
4. Technology & Policy Development
John Wilkin, Associate University Librarian for Library Information Technology (LIT), University of Michigan, Executive Director of HathiTrust 
March 31-April 13
5. 21st Century Learning & Information Use
Tom Scheinfeldt, Managing Director for Center for History and New Media at George Mason University, OMEKA Project Director 
6. New Models & Structures for Collaboration
Mark Wright, Director of Partnerships, National Children's Museum 
April 14-27
7. Planning for a Sustainable Future
Emlyn Koster, President & CEO, Liberty Science Center
8. Metrics for Evaluating Service & Impact
John Fraser, Director, Institute for Learning Innovation-New York 
April 28-May 12
9. The 21st Century Museum & Library Workforce 
Joanne Marshall, Alumni Distinguished Professor, School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
10. UpNext: Where Do We Go From Here?
Larry Johnson, CEO, The New Media Consortium
May 19 Last official "Wiki Wednesday" IMLS will post wiki final summary.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the wiki or the Discussion Guide, please feel free to contact Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask] or Erica Pastore, [log in to unmask] 

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services 
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.